Health

So Far, So Good For West Nile Season

(WCCO) State health experts say there is good news in the fight against the West Nile Virus. This year it looks like the peak season has been pushed back.

The Minnesota Department of Health hasn't had one positive test in mosquitoes, people or animals all summer. In the seven years that Minnesota has been dealing with West Nile virus the reports usually start coming in sometime in June.

While people in Rice County celebrate the summer at the fairgrounds they worry more about their next bite, rather then what's biting them.

Jennifer Valek came to the fair with her three children. She hasn't seen as many mosquitoes this year.

"I think they're better then especially last year. I haven't noticed them as much," said Valek.

The Minnesota Department of Health said mosquitoes are giving people a bit of a break.

"The cooler weather that we had this spring actually slowed down mosquito development a little bit," explained David Neitzel an epidemiologist with MDH. "It's also slowed down the development of the virus."

For weeks, Mosquito Control centers across the state have examined the pests. In many cases, even trapping enough bugs has given them some trouble.

"We were routinely collecting several hundred per night per trap," said Neitzel. "This year, in June, most of our traps were either zero or single numbers. That's the kind of difference we're talking about."

As the weather warms the Department of Health doesn't expect it to last. They say it's important to take precautions. They recommend wearing long sleeves and pants at night, and always use bug repellent with DEET.

Only about one in 150 people infected with West Nile develop the most serious form of the virus. About 20 percent will get something less serious like a fever or headache, and it will pass on its own. However, about 80 percent will have no symptoms at all and they won't even know they've been infected.

 

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)